Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal for the signing of James Maddison, but the Foxes' midfielder isn't the answer for Mikel Arteta.
football.london revealed in July of last year that Gunners boss Arteta is an admirer of Maddison, with Martin Odegaard's Real Madrid future looking uncertain at the time following his loan spell at the Emirates Stadium. A source close to Maddison told us that the 24-year-old was 'at the top of the list' for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
football.london were told that negotiations were 'very slow' and 'like a game of chess' but Maddison remained keen on a move to north London. However, the major sticking point for Arsenal was Leicester's demands of over £60million for the former Norwich and Coventry midfielder.
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Arsenal eventually signed Odegaard for £30million, as they chose to leave their Maddison interest behind. Nevertheless, their interest in Maddison remains constant, especially as Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield moving forward. But a move is now under threat as Spurs are reportedly looking to add the England international to their squad.
Of course, adding Maddison to Arsenal's squad will only strengthen the Gunners' future ambitions - that's a given, especially considering his attacking prowess. However, as he's going to be stupidly expensive, signing him will prove to be counter-productive if he's not a guaranteed starter.
Arsenal have to learn from past mistakes. Nicolas Pepe, for example, cost £72million in 2019. He's been used as a bit-part player for much of his career in north London, and signing Maddison carries similar risk. That's not to say that they'll be replicates, but if you're paying the best part of £60million for predominantly a substitute - that's if you prefer Odegaard to Maddison, which most fans do - you're heavily gambling.
That sort of money can be used elsewhere - like signing two new full-backs for both the right and left flanks to counter Kieran Tierney's and Takehiro Tomiyasu's medicine bills, or reinvesting in a striker, because if there's one thing Arsenal need this summer, it's a frontman who can muster more than four Premier League goals.
There's also the argument that signing Maddison would in fact hinder Emile Smith Rowe's development. Whilst we've seen him utilised on the left wing by Arteta, it's fair to say that the youngster is a number 10 - as his number suggests. He can play second fiddle to Odegaard - for now at least - as he's more than capable of stepping in.
Maddison's ultimately a good player but not a great one. Is he a £60million player? Absolutely not. Will he improve Arsenal? Yes, marginally. But with other concerns more notable, Edu and Arteta would be wise to look elsewhere.
